Primary School using random parent to take photographs of P1 instead of using a company

[James1981]

Is it just me, or is this weird?

I definitely won't consent to this.

The father isn't charging for the service and as far as I'm aware only does photography as a hobby. We don't even know his full name.

Clarify with the school, yes it is no bother for them having 180 odd sets of parents clarifying something they are all ferociously hot on anyway....

At the school my DD went to, they got a random parent to do the photos of the school play. Except she had a “photography business” and charged prices starting from £8.50 for a 6x4 print. Oh - and nobody else was allowed to get close enough to get a decent picture themselves....

[quote crikeycrumbsblimey]@bettsbattenburg & this is how it should be done - glad for your own sake you aren’t as naive as many of people on this thread![/quote]
As I'm the safeguarding lead I'm glad to know that!

I couldn't care less personally. Parents help on school trips who haven't been dbs checked, your kids probably play round friend's houses, their parents might take photos without worrying about data protection. It doesn't suddenly worry me at school. They'll be supervised.

Check with the school, but if it’s all above board I’d be bloody pleased it’s small business than that rip off Tempest most of us get lumped with.

I don’t think they would DBS check a photographer. They will never be alone with the children and thus what would be the need?

I have never been asked about a DBS check and do a lot at the school via the PTA, selling sweets at the school disco, doing clothes sales etc

I echo a lot of the above comments in that I think it’s a great idea! Cheaper and more sense of community

@Esspee

OP, have you spoken to your GP about your anxiety issues?

I can't stand these fake questions. What a leap.

No more of a leap than random parent with insinuations of paedaphilia, no dbs, no GDPR, no parental consultation walking freely into school under the nose of entire school staff who apparently haven't considered any of these things...

I don’t understand why you are worried ? Surely he is taking a headshot not a unclothed picture of any kind. That is way over the top in my opinion

James I suspect you already know you are being ridiculous.

Seriously, no professional photographer has to apply or pay for a licence to take photos of young people. That is not a thing. A parent being dbs checked by the school is far safer in that regard at least.

It’s unlikely to be classed as regulated activity (it’s a one off, accompanied contact) so a DBS might not actually be required. Perfectly reasonable to question the retention of images question if you’re concerned about it, but I’d be amazed if there isn’t a process in place.

I honestly don't see the issue? Any professional photographer could be a 'predator' in the same way that the volunteering parent could be. Same as your own family members (do you not let grandparents take photos for the same reason?) No one has much of a clue someone is preying on children until something happens and is reported.

I think if you feel so strongly about this I'd suggest that you turn down the offer of reduced price photos (plus essential funding for the school) and perhaps book in a professional photo shoot elsewhere instead of ruining it for everyone else who might actually like to have their child's photo taken

I know there are a small number of children who are at risk if their photos end up on social media. But there seems to be a much larger group of parents who think that a taking a photo of their child, fully clothed, might steal their soul. There just doesn't seem to be much thought behind the hysteria.

Honestly I'm all for being aware and careful but I'm really glad that if I heard about that idea, my first instinct would not be 'what if it's a pedo who's after pictures of my kids in their school uniform'